Lancia Imperiale Design Concept by David Cardoso

If there's one European brand that has been in an identity crisis for many years, that is Lancia – and the Fiat Group's decision to drop a few Chrysler models including the 300 sedan and the Town & Country minivan into the Italian firm's range only made things worse.

One time the proud maker of sporty models with a pinch of luxury like the gorgeous Lancia Flavia Coupe with its innovative narrow-angle V4 engine and let's not forget, also the holder of 10 world rally championships, Lancia is now struggling to find its place in today's automotive world.

Independent designer David Cardoso is among those not pleased with Lancia's current portfolio and especially the new Thema:

"When Lancia recently brought out the Thema that is based on the American Chrysler 300C, I was let down by Lancia as it disowned its own Italian design language. The Imperiale is an attempt to create a worthy Thesis successor," Cardoso told Carscoop.

The name Cardoso chose to use on his reborn Lancia flagship is somewhat unfortunate as the Chrysler used the Imperial moniker for its own series of luxury models from the 1920s to the 1980s and again in the early 1990s.

Name aside, Cardoso's Imperiale borrows the fastback body styling of previous Lancia cars such as the Gamma Berlina from the late 1970s.

You can take a look at the designs below and share your thoughts in the comments area.

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Cadillac Contemplates Diesel Engines for its New Models

Cadillac enjoy thanks to the resurgence of a number of good looking new models, which also promises to be much more competitive than their predecessors. Yet something is missing its European competitors in the luxury segment as BMW and Mercedes-Benz has already: diesel engines.

But this could change as soon as the interview during the Car Show in Los Angeles, Don Butler, Cadillac marketing director, said that GM's luxury division is considering the addition of a range of diesel engines.

"We absolutely believe it when we say we want to compete with the best of the best, without compromise," said Butler. "If it means making the right choice of powertrain, so it's the choice we have to do," he added.

Butler pointed out that now that Cadillac is considering offers from diesel engines sold outside North America, but quickly adds, "could be a possible protection in the United States, because the higher torque of the diesel engine, and a great performance with great efficiency. "

Not the first time Cadillac has tried to offer models with diesel engines. In late 1970, the Crown and Crest brand introduced a diesel V8 as an option in response to Mercedes-Benz.

But while GM V8 diesel has led to comply with CAFE 1978 (Corporate Average Fuel Economy) standards that were applied after the fuel crisis, the problems of reliability and constant many destroyed his image and established

Fortunately, GM has learned his lesson and will not repeat past mistakes. After all, its European Opel and Vauxhall divisions - even if it is bleeding money a lot of experience to share on this topic.

Story References: Autonews

 

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New Brabus 800 Mercedes-Benz Coupe Lands at Dubai Motor Show

The latest Mercedes-Benz CL 600 is a great road, but how do you do better? In fact, how make what Brabus calls "luxury coupe fastest and most powerful in the world"?

To start, you take the standard V12 bi-turbo 5.5-liter and a grant-designed Brabus crankshaft with a longer stroke, increasing the cylinder bore and larger pistons. Now that you have a V12 with a displacement of 6.3 liters, you add four new camshafts and beautiful machine the two heads of the V12 in order to optimize the flow of the mixture.

This is just the beginning: to replace the file with the new twin turbos, high-performance turbochargers with custom exhaust manifolds with integrated turbine housings. You can install four water-air cooler to keep temperatures under control, and a cap integrated carbon fiber ram air intake and exhaust system to replace the CL with a new, stainless steel unit with the free movement of the catalysts.

Then, the ECU must be reprogrammed to coordinate all these new high performance parts not only for maximum efficiency, but also for the Euro 5 emissions standards.

As you may have already guessed, this is not your average job development. It could not be outrageous for the production of 800 Brabus 800HP and 1420 Nm (1047 lb-ft) of torque (limited electronically in 1100 Nm/811 lb-ft), in which case all other luxury Grand Tourer specifications your mirrors.

The numbers speak for themselves: the CL listening accelerates from 0-100 km / h (0-62 mph) in 3.9 seconds, 0-200 km / h (0 to 124 km / h) in 10.3 seconds, and when an electronically limited top speed of 350 km / h (217 mph).

All this power is transmitted to the rear wheels via a heavily reinforced five-speed automatic transmission that can handle the enormous torque, and the 295/25 ZR 21 rear tires. A suspension lowered by 25mm, a limited slip diff with a rate of 40% blocking and all the electronic stability system is responsible for handling - and if you smoke your specially developed rear Continental, Pirelli or Yokohama within seconds, you can completely disable gadgets.

When such performance, updated braking system is a necessity. Therefore, Brabus has a 405 mm ventilated front discs and six-piston cross-drilled 380 mm front and rear disc four-piston calipers that not only ensures maximum braking power, but also for a long while braking at high speed.

Of course, the 800 Coupé is fitted with a Brabus body kit designed and had full leather and Alcantara Brabus logos-Plus treatment inside.

The 800 Coupé can be purchased as a new car, or alternatively, the package can be installed on any current generation CL 600.

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Citroen to Develop DS1 to Rival Fiat 500

Citroen DS is rapidly expanding sub-brand, which currently includes the DS3, DS4 and DS5 models. Now, if the relationship to Autocar is to be believed, the success of the DS3 supermini has received the French car maker doubles the area of ​​the DS.

The first of three new models will most likely be a luxury flagship sedan based on the Metropolis concept well received that was unveiled at Shanghai 2010.

Impressive limousines measures 5.3 meters long but only 1.4 meters high and shaped concept is motivated by a hybrid powertrain that combines a gasoline engine 2.0-liter V6 with an electric motor to power Total 272HP.

Citroën product planning manager, Thomas Haussy, said the flagship model will target the Chinese market, and most likely will not make it to Europe, because all of the response of PSA in the luxury segment has proven futile .

What Europe has, according to a city is Haussy DS-badged. The enormous success of the elegant Citroën Fiat 500 has prompted management to consider a mini-exclusive, as there seems to be a huge demand for distinctive, adaptable to cars in the city.

If Citroen gives the green light DS1, is based on the second generation of C1, together with that of its Peugeot 107 and Toyota Aygo brothers, expected to debut next year the Paris Motor Show.

On Haussy suggested that the third model may be a hybrid, four-wheel drive version of the DS4 that using the same powertrain as the 3008 and DS5.

The Citroen head also said that the draft Racing DS is a worthwhile effort, and the DS3 Racing "was not an isolated incident," adding that "we could sell more of what we did in 2300."

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2012 Audi A6 Sedan

Audi finished 2010 with record sales in the U.S. and is now awaiting an even bigger hit in 2011 that the demand for luxury vehicles is high in the states. Spearhead the growth of the company in the United States is the new A6 sedan in 2012, which made its debut at the North American International Auto in Detroit.

Form a design point of view, Executive Lounge Audi is a subtle change from the previous model. But it comes with a number of new gadgets adaptive air suspension and dynamic steering. At launch, the A6 will be available in states with a compressor 3.0-liter V6, but Audi plans to introduce a six-cylinder diesel version as well.

Scroll to check the gallery for pictures live from the Detroit Motor Show, as well as a new video clip.

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